Combination clip and brooch structure



May 31, 193s. Q P ENNINO 2,119,178

COMBINATION CLIP AND BROOCH STRUCTURE Filed May 7, 1937 III/lll l INVENFQR. lfeslDe/mz/no BVM.

ATTORNEY. 1

Patented May 31, 1938 rA'rEn'r orricr.

CIWBINATBQN CLIP ANI) BRUCH STRUC- @reste Pennino, New York, N. Y.

Application May 7, 1937, Serial No. 141,268

8 Claims.

`This invention relates to jewelry and more particularly refers to improvements in demountable brooches comprising a pair of ornamental clips held together by a special mounting.

'Ihe idea of combining a set of two ornamental clips in order to produce a brooch is not per se new, but such arrangements as have come to my notice generally do not provide such a rigid and secure mounting free from wobbling as required in connection with jewelry ci the better grade.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of ornamental clips and brooch mounting whereby a brooch can be quickly assembled or disassembled so as to permit the clips to be used separately or as part of the brooch assemblage.

Another object is to provide a novel and imn proved construction oi ornamental Vclips and brooch mounting adapted to cooperate with one another in producing a brooch assemblage, the brooch mounting having means for insuring correct positioning of the clips with respect to each other and also having means adapte-d to engage the two clips and hold them firmly against each other, so as to create the eiect of absolute `continuity in the brooch structure.

A furthe-r object is to provide a novel and improved construction of ornamental clip and brooch mounting whereby the said elements can be 'caused to readily interlock and to be just as readily disconnected, said construction requiring but a very small change in the clips themselves and being adapted to be produce-d at relatively low cost. v,

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fullyrappear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

Myinvention is illustrated by'way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a rear View in elevation of a brooch assemblage embodying my invention;

Fig.`2 is a rear View in elevation of the mount ing used in the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsection of the brooch through line 3-3 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a rear view of one of the clips forming part of the organization shown vin Figs. l and "Referring to the drawing, it is seen that the brooch Ais composed of two ornamental or dress clips 20, 2l each comprising a front ornamental member 22, 23 having a substantially straight inner `edge such as shown at 24, 25 and being provided at the rear in proximity of said edge with a pivotal support for a spring clasp 26, 2.

CTI

(Ci. Gli- 20) Each pivotal support comprises a base such as shown at 28 and two end ears or lugs 29 between which is hinged the attaching end of the corresponding clasp. The base 2S of each pivotal sup port is secured by soldering or otherwise to the front ornamental member in proximity of its inner edge and each base plate is provided with a hook extension 3E) serving as anchorage for a tension spring 3| adapted to act as a snap-over spring holding the clasp member either in its open or closed position.

Each clasp member is in its turn formed with a hooked prong 32 serving as point of attachment for the outer end of the corresponding spring.

Each ornamental member is furthermore provided at the rear in proximity of its outer end with a lug 33, 34 having a longitudinal perforation 35, said two lugs preferably being in longitudinal alignment with each other when the two clips are set with their inner edges abutting as shown in Fig. l.

The clasp members are provided as usual with a number of prongs such as 36, 3l struck oi and inwardly projecting from the body thereof serving as gripping members holding the clips in position when used without the brooch mounting. The brooch mounting which is generally designated by numeral 38 comprises a longitudinally extending body portion provided midway of its length with a rectangular opening 3Q, said opening having oppositely directed longitudinal extensions 40, 4I. f

The distance between the lower edge 42 and the upper edge 43 of opening 39, corresponds to the distance between the outer surfaces of lugs or ears 29, so that the clasp members when in their open position can be inserted through the opening 39 and the ears or lugs 29 of the base members will llt snugly within said opening as shown By the same token, the distance between the vertical edges 44, 45 of opening substantially corresponds to the distance between the outer edges of the ears or lugs 29 of the two clips when the inner edges of said clips abut against each other as shown in Figs. l and 3.

It will be observed that the plate mounting 28 is provided in proximity of its upper edge with a pin member s6 pivotally mounted at one end at 4l and secured in position at the other end by a catch 48, said pin member serving as a means for securing the assembled brooch in position, as will be understood.

Said plate isV also formed with two outwardly projecting prongs 49, 5U, one at each end of the plate, said prongs being in longitudinal alignment with each other. Said prongs are adapted to register with openings 35 in lugs 33, 34, and the distance between them is such that they will penetrate through said openings and act as exact and dependable positioning means for the two clips, when the two clip bodies reach the position shown in the drawing in which their inner edges abut against each other.

In addition, it will be seen that the plate mounting is formed at each end with a rearwardly extending spring acting catch or tongue 52, each catch having its tip end slightly bent outwardly and preferably having its main body portion slightly bent inwardly.

Each clasp member is formed with an opening 53, the inner edge 54 of which is adapted to register with and to be engaged by the corresponding catch or tongue 5|, 52, of the plate mounting.

When the clasp member has first been inserted through opening 39, and has then been moved to the clamping position shown in the drawing, the corresponding catch or tongue 5| or 52 is forced slightly outwardly, so that when the clasp is released, the spring action of said tongue or catch will tend to force the clip inwardly. In other words, the action of catches cr tongues 5|, 52 is not only to retain the clasp members in position against the mounting blade, but also to force the two clips inwardly so that they will closely abut against each other and will not leave any air space between their adjoining inner edges 24, 25.

In order to assemble the clips and the mounting plate and form a brooch assemblage, the open clasp member of one of the clips is rst inserted through opening 39, and the corresponding prong 49 or 50 is then inserted through opening 35, in the lug 33 or 34 of the clip.

At the same time, the lugs or ears 29 of the clip are forced through the opening 39, and then the clasp member is lowered to its clamping position and forced into engagement with the corre sponding latch or tongue 5| or 52. The same operation is then repeated for the other clip and the brooch will then be ready for use.

The extensions 40, 4| from the sides of opening 39 provide clearance spaces which accommodate the hooked prongs 32, projecting downwardly from the surface of each clasp member.

In view of the fact that lugs 33, 34 are upwardly spa-ced from the central longitudinal line of their respective clips in order to form a brooch assemblage it is necessary to always have prong 49 engage lug 33 and prong 5|! engage lug 34, This makes it necessary to exert a little care in assembling the various parts because each clip must always be at the same side.

In order to make the parts entirely interchangeable if desired, another lug 33', 35 can be provided at the rear of the clips in symmetrical arrangement with the lugs 33, 34. It becomes then possible to reverse the relative position of the two clips by causing prong 49 to engage lug 34 and prong 5U to engage lug 33'.

It is thus seen that my improved mounting provides reliable and positive positioning and retaining means, insuring a firm assembling of the various parts and their perfect matching to produce the complete brooch design.

Minor constructional details of my invention may vary from those shown without departing from the inventive idea. The drawing should,

,. therefore, be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense.

Accordingly, I reserve the right to carry my invention into practice in all those Ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1` In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body and a spring clasp pivotally mounted at the rear thereof, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, said plate having at each end a longitudinally extending prong, each clip having a longitudinally perforated lug rearwardly extending from its body portion, adapted to register with and receive the prong at the corresponding side, whereby said clip members will be correctly positioned with respect to each other.

2. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body and a spring clasp pivotally mounted at the rear thereof, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, said plate having at each side a rearwardly extending spring acting tongue each clasp having an opening the inner edge of which is spaced from the inner edge of the corresponding clip body a distance substantially corresponding to the distance of the inner surface of the corresponding tongue from the center of said plate, said tongue being adapted to engage the inner edge of said opening and to press against it, tending to force the corresponding clip member into intimate abutment with the other clip member, along the inner edge of each of the bodies thereof.

3. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body and a spring clasp pivotally mounted at the rear thereof, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, said plate having at each side a rearwardly extending spring acting tongue each clasp having an opening the inner edge of which is spaced from the inner edge of the corresponding clip body a distance substantially corresponding to the distance of the inner surface of the corresponding tongue from the center of said plate, said tongue being adapted to engage the inner edge of said opening and to press against it, tending to force the corresponding clip member into intimate abutment with the other clip member, along the inner edge of the bodies thereof, said plate having at each end a longitudinally extending prong, each clip having a longitudinally perforated lug rearwardly extending from its body portion, adapted to register with and receive the prong at the corresponding side, whereby said clip members will be correctly positioned with respect to each other.

4. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body, a clasp base member at the rear thereof having two spaced ears rearwardly extending therefrom, and a spring clasp pivotally mounted between said ears, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, the lateral edges of said opening being spaced a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the outer edges of the ears of the two base members when said clip bodies are arranged end to end with their inner edges abutting against each other, the top and bottom edges of said opening being spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between the outer surfaces of the ears of each base member so as to frictionally engage the same when said ears are inserted through said opening.

5. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body,V a clasp base member at the rear thereof having two spaced ears rearwardly extending therefrom, and a spring clasp pivotally mounted between said ears, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, the lateral edges of said opening being spaced a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the outer edges of the ears of the two base members when said clip bodies are arranged end to end with their inner edges abutting against each other, the top and bottom edges of said opening being spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between the outer surfaces of the ears of each base member so as to frictionally engage the same when said ears are inserted through said opening, said plate furthermore having at each side a rearwardly extending spring acting tongue each clasp having an opening the inner edge of which is spaced from the inner edge of the corresponding clip body a distance substantially corresponding to the distance of the inner surface of the corresponding tongue from the center of said plate, said tongue being adapted to engage the inner edge of said clasp opening and to press against it, tending to force the corresponding clip member into intimate abutment with the other clip member, along the inner edge of each of the bodies thereof.

6. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body, a clasp base member at the rear thereof having two spaced ears rearwardly extending therefrom, and a spring clasp pivotally mounted between said ears, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, the lateral edges of said opening being spaced a, distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the outer edges of the ears of the two base members when said clip bodies are arranged end to end with their inner edges abutting against each other, the top and bottom edges of said opening being spaceda distance corresponding to the distance between the outer surfaces of the ears of each base member so as to frictionally engage the same when said ears are inserted through said opening, said plate furthermore having at each end a longitudinally extending prong, and eachy clip having a longitudinally perforated lug rearwardly extending from its body portion, adapted to register with and receive the prong at the corresponding side, whereby said clip members will be correctly positioned with respect to each other.

7. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body, a clasp base member at the rear thereof having two spaced ears rearwardly extending therefrom, and a spring clasp pivotally mounted between said ears, and a brooch mounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, the lateral edges of said opening being spaced a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the ou'ter edges of the ears of the two base members when said clip bodies are arranged end to end with their inner edges abutting against each other, the top and bottom edges of said opening being spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between the outer surfaces of the ears of each base member so as to frictionally engage the same when said ears are inserted through said opening, said plate furthermore having at each end a longitudinally extending prong, and each clip having a longitudinally perforated lug rearwardly extending from its body portion, adapted to register with and receive the prong at the corresponding side, whereby said clip members will be correctly positioned with respect to each other, said plate also having at each side a rearwardly extending spring acting tongue each clasp having an opening the inner edge of which is spaced from the inner edge of the corresponding clip' body a distance substantially corresponding to the distance of the inner surface of the corresponding tongue from the center of said plate, said tongue being adapted to engage the inner edge of said clasp opening and to press against it, tending to force the corresponding clip member into intimate abutment with the other clip member, along the inner edge of each of the bodies thereof.

8. In a brooch assembly, a pair of clip members, each clip member comprising a front ornamental body and a spring clasp pivotally mounted at the rear thereof, and a broochmounting comprising a plate having an opening through which said spring clasps can be inserted to be folded over said plate, said plate having at each end a longitudinally extending prong, each clip having a longitudinally perforated lug rearwardly extending from its body portion, adapted to register with and receive the prong at the corresponding side, whereby said clip members will be correctly positioned with respect to each other, said prongs being in longitudinal alignment with each other.

ORESTE PENNINO. 

